Blood donations have dropped to an alarming rate across the globe in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Even the regular donors are reluctant at the time to donate blood over the fear of contact and getting infected. The blood needs have been negatively impacted because of such circumstances. It is crucial for the blood banks at this time to resume the collection of blood in order to meet the demands.
Many NGOs such as Red Cross Society India have taken steps to ensure that there is a regular income of blood, by assuring the donors of safety measures in place. However, considering the limitations of NGOs and nonprofits in terms of limited availability of funds, they do not reach many potential areas or do not meet required safety standards. CSR plays a significant role at such a time.
The rising fear among people against blood donation because of COVID-19 needs to be controlled. Corporates, with their expertise in communication, need to use their best resources to support the blood services and defeat the fear of people. In addition to this, corporates have access to remote areas in the country in the form of their supply chains. They need to materialize on these connections to help meet the blood needs of the country.
Continuing the World Blood Donor Day 2020 series, let us look at the top CSR projects related to blood donations in India.
1. Facebook’s Blood Donation Feature
Facebook has expanded its blood donation feature live in India and other countries so that people can stay informed and know when there is a shortage as well as a location where it is safe to donate. The feature allows the user to schedule appointments to donate or create reminders for themselves to donate later.
2. Bumble’s support amid COVID-19 crisis
The popular social networking app has given out grants worth a lakh rupee each to 13 entrepreneurs in India. Bloodsport Healthtech Solutions is one of those 13 small scale companies who save lives using their digital platform for blood banks and blood donation drives among other activities.
3. IIT Roorkee’s Blood Donation Camp
A blood drive was organized by IIT Roorkee in collaboration with Civil Hospital Blood Bank on June 3. The blood donation camp was organised under the National Service Scheme (NSS). The camp witnessed participation from residents, faculty, and students from IIT Roorkee who came out in large numbers for the cause despite the COVID-19 crisis. The blood donation camp was aimed at strengthening the healthcare system amid the coronavirus pandemic. A team of doctors, paramedical personnel, and volunteers were deployed around the camp in order to ensure safety and social distancing in the area.
In order to avoid the risk of getting infected with COVID-19, the researchers at Indian Institute to Technology (IIT) Roorkee developed an anti-microbial nano-coating system to be used for facemasks and personal protective equipment (PPE). The coating has been tested to effectively kill the virus within 10-15 minutes and has been developed by a four-member team.
4. Blood Donation Camp by AIIMS in collaboration with Seva Bharti
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in collaboration with Seva Bharti organized a blood donation camp in Mukharjee Nagar area of the national capital last month. To combat the shortage of blood caused due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and following nationwide lockdown, RSS’ Seva Bharti with the help of AIIMS began organizing camps across the national capital. The camp was organized at a restaurant in the vicinity, where people living in the area came forward to donate blood. About 23,000 people participated in the drive by donating the blood.
